Immunologically significant herpes simplex virus antigens and methods for using same

Abstract

The invention provides HSV antigens that are useful for the prevention and treatment of HSV infection. Disclosed herein are epitopes confirmed to be recognized by T-cells derived from herpetic lesions. T-cells having specificity for antigens of the invention have demonstrated cytotoxic activity against cells loaded with virally-encoded peptide epitopes, and in many cases, against cells infected with HSV. The identification of immunogenic antigens responsible for T-cell specificity provides improved anti-viral therapeutic and prophylactic strategies. Compositions containing antigens or polynucleotides encoding antigens of the invention provide effectively targeted vaccines for prevention and treatment of HSV infection.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a herpes simplex virus (HSV) polypeptide, wherein the polypeptide comprises amino acids 288-307 or 743-151 of ICP0 (SEQ ID NO: 1), and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
       2. The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polypeptide is a fusion protein. 
     
     
       3. The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 2 , wherein the fusion protein is soluble. 
     
     
       4. The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an adjuvant. 
     
     
       5. A method of inducing an immune response to an HSV infection in a subject comprising administering the composition of  claim 1  to the subject. 
     
     
       6. A method of treating an HSV infection in a subject comprising administering the composition of  claim 1  to the subject. 
     
     
       7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a herpes simplex virus (HSV) polypeptide, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the polypeptide is less than 100 amino acids in length and comprises amino acids 288-307 or 743-751 of ICP0 (SEQ ID NO: 1). 
     
     
       8. The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 7 , further comprising an adjuvant. 
     
     
       9. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an isolated polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence consisting essentially of amino acids 288-307 or 743-751 of ICP0 (SEQ ID NO: 1), and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
       10. The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 9 , further comprising an adjuvant. 
     
     
       11. A method of inducing an immune response to an HSV infection in a subject comprising administering the composition of  claim 9  to the subject. 
     
     
       12. A method of treating an HSV infection in a subject comprising administering the composition of  claim 9  to the subject. 
     
     
       13. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an isolated polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier wherein the polypeptide is less than 100 amino acids in length and comprises amino acids 288-307 or 743-751 of ICP0 (SEQ ID NO: 1). 
     
     
       14. The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 13 , further comprising an adjuvant. 
     
     
       15. A method of inducing an immune response to an HSV infection in a subject comprising administering the composition of  claim 13  to the subject. 
     
     
       16. A method of treating an HSV infection in a subject comprising administering the composition of  claim 13  to the subject. 
     
     
       17. A method of treating an HSV infection in a subject comprising administering an antigen-presenting cell modified to present amino acids 288-307 or 743-751 of ICP0 (SEQ ID NO: 1) to the subject.